Design Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Researcher

Company: Techtronic Industries - TTI

Location: Anderson, SC, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Development / User Research Operations

Date Posted: June 08, 2026

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product innovation by leading in-field qualitative research to uncover user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, compelling insights that foster consumer empathy across product development teams.

• Translate research insights into actionable opportunities and facilitate ideation sessions for new product concepts.

• Evaluate early-stage prototypes with real users to iterate on solutions and ensure product-market fit.

• Contribute to building and maintaining a network of engaged consumers for ongoing research and feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Advanced Concepts team, focusing on early innovation for RYOBI and RIDGID brands. The emphasis is on hands-on, in-field qualitative research to inform product strategy and development within the consumer power tools sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive discovery research initiatives, including ethnography, in-depth interviews (IDIs), and contextual inquiry, within consumer environments (homes, garages, job sites).

• Analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to identify critical user needs, unmet demands, and opportunity spaces for new product development.

• Develop compelling narratives and visual storytelling to effectively communicate research insights and build empathy for the end-user across cross-functional teams (engineering, industrial design, product management).

• Facilitate collaborative workshops and ideation sessions to translate identified consumer needs into tangible product concepts and design directions.

• Conduct iterative testing and evaluation of early-stage prototypes and concepts with target users to gather feedback and validate product solutions.

• Document and synthesize project learnings, ensuring seamless handover of actionable insights to engineering and product development teams for implementation.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with a diverse group of consumers to facilitate ongoing research participation, co-creation activities, and feedback loops.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Advanced Concepts team by identifying emerging consumer trends and technological advancements relevant to the power tool industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on "front-end innovation" and understanding the "consumer lens" for durable goods. The role requires not just data collection but also the ability to translate data into strategic product direction and build cross-functional alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Consumer Insights, Communications, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is welcomed but not a prerequisite. The emphasis is on critical thinking about people and narrative development.

Experience: 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in front-end innovation, consumer insights, or new product development, with a proven track record in qualitative research methodologies.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in qualitative research methodologies: in-home/in-field ethnography, in-depth interviews (IDIs), contextual inquiry, and prototype evaluation.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret both qualitative and quantitative data to derive meaningful insights.

• Demonstrated ability in synthesizing complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations and strategic direction.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, with the capacity to build consumer empathy across diverse teams.

• Understanding of consumer behavior and the ability to identify unmet needs, market gaps, and opportunity spaces.

• Adept at translating user needs into language that engineering and product teams can effectively act upon.

• Strong work ethic and a proactive, self-starter attitude.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a multi-disciplinary R&D environment.

• Capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced setting.

• Willingness and ability to undertake 25-35% overnight domestic travel. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with durable goods, physical products, or hands-on consumer categories (e.g., power tools, home improvement).

• A "maker mindset" with enthusiasm for hands-on involvement in product ideation and development.

• Comfort and adaptability in field research environments, including homes, garages, and job sites.

• Experience in building and nurturing consumer research panels or communities.

• A curious and innovative mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and connecting insights to strategic opportunities.

• Collaborative spirit, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to team brainstorming sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Bachelor's degree in a broad range of fields, with emphasis on "how you think about people and how you tell their story," suggests a strong focus on human-centered design principles and effective communication of user empathy, rather than strict academic specialization. The preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who are product-oriented and can work comfortably in the physical environments where their products are used.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase multiple case studies detailing end-to-end qualitative research projects, from initial scoping to insight delivery.

• Clearly articulate the research methodologies employed (ethnography, IDIs, contextual inquiry, prototype evaluations) and the rationale behind their selection.

• Demonstrate the process of synthesizing complex qualitative and quantitative data into compelling, actionable insights.

• Highlight instances where research findings directly influenced product concepts, design iterations, or new product development decisions, ideally with measurable impact.

• Include examples of how insights were translated into opportunities and communicated effectively to cross-functional partners (engineering, design, product management). Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured research planning, including defining research objectives, participant recruitment strategies, and methodological approaches.

• Examples of how research findings were documented and presented to build consumer empathy and drive decision-making.

• Documentation of iterative feedback loops, illustrating how prototype evaluations and user feedback were incorporated into product refinement.

• Showcase the ability to hand off insights effectively to engineering and product development teams, ensuring clarity and actionable direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Researcher role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of research skills. It should not just list projects but tell a story about the research process, the insights generated, and the tangible impact on product innovation. Emphasis should be placed on the synthesis and storytelling aspects, as these are explicitly called out as key value propositions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Researchers with 3-5 years of experience in the Anderson, SC area, the estimated salary range is $75,000 - $95,000 annually. This range accounts for the entry to mid-level experience, the specialized nature of user research in product development, and regional cost of living.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Financial security: 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Professional development: Tuition assistance programs.

• Work-life balance: Paid vacation and holidays.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is onsite, flexibility may be available for research scheduling and project needs, subject to team and management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the manufacturing/consumer goods sector in the Southeast US. The benefits package is typical for a large, established manufacturing company like TTI.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Power Tools, Outdoor Equipment, Floor Care), Consumer Goods, Retail. TTI is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative products for home improvement, repair, and construction industries.

Company Size: TTI is a large, multinational corporation. While the specific number for the Anderson, SC R&D site isn't provided, the overall company employs tens of thousands globally. This scale offers stability and resources.

Founded: Techtronic Industries (TTI) was founded in 1985. The company has grown through strategic acquisitions and a consistent focus on innovation and operational excellence.

Team Structure:

• The Advanced Concepts team is an early innovation R&D group within the Consumer Power Tools Group.

• It comprises researchers, engineers, and designers focused on exploratory and evaluative user research.

• This team collaborates closely with various internal departments including engineering, industrial design, analytical teams, and product management.

• The Design Researcher will be an integral part of this multidisciplinary team, reporting likely to a Research Lead or Manager within Advanced Concepts. Methodology:

• The team operates with a "hands-on" approach, emphasizing learning through diverse projects.

• A strong focus on user-centered design and translating user needs into innovative product solutions.

• Research is driven by understanding consumer needs, behaviors, and pain points, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods.

• Iterative development and prototype evaluation are core to the process of concept validation.

Company Website: https://www.ttigroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: TTI's reputation is built on innovation and strong brands. The Advanced Concepts team's role in this ecosystem is to be the "voice of the consumer" early in the product development lifecycle, ensuring that new technologies and product ideas are grounded in real user needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an Entry to Mid-Level Design Researcher. It requires foundational qualitative research skills and 3-5 years of experience, indicating a role where the individual is expected to contribute independently to research projects and begin to influence early-stage product ideation.

Reporting Structure: The Design Researcher will report to a lead or manager within the Advanced Concepts team. This team operates as a specialized R&D unit, meaning the researcher will likely work closely with other researchers, engineers, and industrial designers. Collaboration will be key, both within the immediate team and with broader product development groups.

Operations Impact: The Design Researcher's impact is directly tied to the success of new product development for the RYOBI and RIDGID brands. By providing deep consumer insights and validating concepts early, this role helps mitigate the risk of developing products that don't meet user needs, thereby influencing market reception, sales, and brand loyalty. Their work directly informs the "what we could build" phase.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific qualitative methodologies or expand into quantitative analysis and mixed-methods research.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading larger, more complex research initiatives and managing research roadmaps for specific product categories.

• Cross-functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with engineering, industrial design, and product management, becoming a key advisor in the innovation process.

• Mentorship: As experience grows, potentially mentor junior researchers or interns.

• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in consumer behavior within the power tool and home improvement sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Design Researcher in a company like TTI often involves increasing autonomy, strategic influence, and the ability to lead research programs. The "Advanced Concepts" nature of the team suggests opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects and contribute to significant product innovations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Anderson, SC, within TTI's Power Tool Engineering facilities. This suggests a professional office environment with access to R&D labs, prototyping facilities, and collaborative workspaces.

Office Location(s): Anderson, South Carolina, United States. This specific location is within TTI's Power Tool Engineering hub, implying a focus on product development and innovation for its power tool brands.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Advanced Concepts team thrives on collaboration. Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages interaction, brainstorming, and shared learning among researchers, engineers, and designers.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office productivity tools, potentially specialized research software, and proximity to prototyping and testing equipment within the R&D center.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, cross-functional project syncs, and opportunities for informal knowledge sharing. The "maker mindset" and "hands-on" culture suggest a practical, engaged atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, primarily on-site. However, the nature of in-field research may require flexibility in daily schedules to accommodate participant availability and travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Anderson, SC, combined with significant domestic travel, indicates a need for candidates who are comfortable relocating or residing within reasonable commuting distance and who are prepared for an active research schedule that extends beyond the office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and TTI.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Research Lead or Manager) to delve into research experience, methodologies, and understanding of consumer behavior. Expect questions about past projects and problem-solving approaches.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with other members of the Advanced Concepts team (researchers, engineers, designers) to evaluate collaboration style, technical skills, and ability to integrate into the team. This may include a deeper dive into specific research techniques.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their work. This will likely involve showcasing 1-2 key case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, insights, and impact on product development. Be prepared to discuss challenges, learnings, and how they translated insights into action.

• Final Interview (Optional): Potentially with a senior leader in R&D or Product Development to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your strengths in qualitative, in-field research and your ability to drive product innovation. Prioritize projects with clear user needs, insightful findings, and demonstrable impact.

• Storytelling is Key: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your research approach, the key insights uncovered, how you communicated those insights, and the resulting product or design outcomes.

• Quantify Impact When Possible: If your research led to specific product improvements, feature adoption, or market success, highlight these outcomes with any available metrics.

• Showcase Synthesis & Translation: Emphasize your ability to move from raw data to actionable insights and then translate those insights into language that engineers and designers can understand and act upon.

• Be Prepared for "Why": Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, how you handled ambiguity, and how you built empathy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Research Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a new research challenge for a power tool product (e.g., understanding user needs for a new cordless drill feature). Outline your research plan, key questions, and desired outcomes.

• Insight Communication: Practice articulating a complex insight concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to a team of engineers who need to act on it.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to discuss a time you encountered unexpected challenges during research and how you overcame them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is likely the most critical component of the interview process for this role. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to showcase not just their research skills but their ability to be a strategic partner in the innovation process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: While not explicitly listed, familiarity with tools for conducting remote interviews (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), note-taking, and potentially transcription services (e.g., Otter.ai) is beneficial.

• Prototyping Evaluation: Experience with methods for evaluating physical prototypes, potentially involving simple mock-ups or functional prototypes.

• Data Synthesis Tools: Proficiency with tools that facilitate qualitative data analysis and synthesis, such as Miro, Mural, Dovetail, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets for organizing and coding qualitative data.

Analytics & Reporting:

• General Analytics: Comfort using general data analysis tools (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for organizing and analyzing qualitative data, and potentially basic quantitative data.

• Presentation Software: Strong command of presentation tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating compelling insight reports and storyboards.

CRM & Automation:

• Consumer Panels: Experience with or understanding of how to manage consumer databases or panels for ongoing research recruitment and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is heavily on qualitative research methodologies rather than specific software suites. The tools mentioned are those that directly support the research process, analysis, and communication of findings. Proficiency in standard office productivity suites is assumed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consumer Focus: A deep-seated curiosity about "why consumers behave the way they do" is paramount. The team values understanding user needs, pain points, and contexts above all else.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A mindset that embraces ambiguity and actively seeks out new opportunities and connections between insights and potential product innovations.

• Hands-On & Maker Mentality: Enthusiasm for getting involved directly in projects, not being afraid to "get their hands dirty" in research, ideation, and testing.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams, bridging the gap between user insights and technical implementation.

• Action-Oriented: A drive to translate research into tangible outcomes and inform what gets built, ensuring that insights lead to meaningful product improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated R&D: The team operates as a cohesive unit where researchers, engineers, and designers work hand-in-hand. Collaboration is not just encouraged; it's fundamental to their process.

• Open Communication: Expect a culture that values open dialogue, constructive feedback, and the sharing of diverse perspectives to foster innovation.

• Empathy Building: A core part of the collaborative process involves actively building empathy for the end-user across all disciplines, ensuring a unified understanding of consumer needs.

• Iterative Process: Collaboration extends to the iterative refinement of concepts and prototypes, with continuous feedback loops between research and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture described emphasizes a blend of deep user understanding, practical innovation, and strong interpersonal collaboration. Candidates should demonstrate a genuine interest in people, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment focused on tangible product outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Ambiguity into Clarity: Dealing with complex, often ambiguous, consumer behaviors and translating them into clear, actionable insights for product teams can be challenging.

• Balancing Exploration and Execution: Navigating the balance between exploratory research to identify new opportunities and evaluative research to validate existing concepts under tight project timelines.

• Field Research Logistics: Managing the complexities of in-field research, including participant recruitment, scheduling, travel logistics, and adapting to diverse user environments.

• Driving Impact: Ensuring that research insights are effectively adopted and integrated into product roadmaps, overcoming potential resistance or differing priorities within cross-functional teams.

• Pacing for Innovation: Keeping pace with rapid product development cycles and emerging consumer trends in a competitive market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific qualitative research techniques or explore advanced quantitative analysis and mixed-methods approaches.

• Product Category Mastery: Becoming a subject matter expert in the power tool, outdoor equipment, or floor care categories, understanding the nuances of user needs and market dynamics.

• Strategic Influence: Developing the skills to influence product strategy at a higher level, from concept generation through to product launch.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gaining experience in leading research initiatives that require significant collaboration and alignment across multiple departments.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for attending industry conferences, workshops, or training sessions focused on user research, design thinking, and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and demanding nature of R&D in a fast-paced consumer goods environment. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing a well-rounded researcher who can contribute strategically and technically.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used ethnography to uncover a user need that surprised you and how that insight influenced product development." (Focus on your process, insight generation, and impact.)

• "How do you approach translating complex qualitative findings into actionable recommendations for engineers and designers?" (Highlight your synthesis and communication skills.)

• "Imagine we're developing a new cordless drill. What would be your initial research approach to understand unmet consumer needs in this category?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and methodological choices.)

• "Tell me about a challenging research project, perhaps one with ambiguity or difficult participants, and how you navigated it." (Showcase problem-solving and resilience.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about TTI and our brands (RYOBI/RIDGID)?" (Research TTI's market position, brands, and recent innovations.)

• "How do you see your 'maker mindset' and curiosity contributing to our Advanced Concepts team?" (Connect your personal attributes to the team's values.)

• "Describe your experience working in multidisciplinary teams. What is your approach to collaborating with engineers and designers?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the "Problem," "Approach" (methodologies), "Insights," "Impact/Outcome," and "Learnings."

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (photos, quotes, video snippets if appropriate and anonymized) to bring your research to life and illustrate user behaviors and pain points.

• Focus on the "So What?": Clearly articulate the implications of your findings and how they directly informed product decisions or opportunities.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges encountered.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it is clear, concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to conduct research, derive meaningful insights, and communicate them effectively to drive product innovation. Your portfolio is your primary tool to demonstrate this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your experience in qualitative research methodologies (ethnography, IDIs, contextual inquiry), consumer insights, new product development, and any experience with durable goods or physical products. Use keywords from the job description like "consumer needs," "pain points," "actionable insights," "prototype evaluation," and "cross-functional collaboration."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your research process, synthesis skills, and impact on product innovation. Ensure it's easily shareable (e.g., PDF, online link).

• Research TTI and Its Brands: Understand TTI's position in the market, their key brands (Milwaukee, RYOBI, RIDGID), and their commitment to innovation. This will help tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse presenting your key case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, insight articulation, and demonstrating the "so what" of your research.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.